In light of the fact that yesterday's shootings in San Bernardino do not appear to be an ISIS-related terrorist attack (at this time), the markets have turned their attention back to the matters at hand this morning. And in short, this means the action of central bankers.

For those looking for the latest update on the shooting in CA, here's what we know: According to police, Syed Farook left a holiday party in anger and returned with his wife, Tashfeen Malik, dressed in "assault-style clothing" and opened fire. The coule killed 14 people and wounded 17 others. Hours later, the couple was killed in a gun battle with police. Law-enforcement officials haven't ruled out terrorism at this time.

And since the situation suggests that this was not a terror attack on U.S. soil, traders are back to focusing on the stimulative efforts of the ECB and China, as well as what to expect next from Janet Yellen's bunch.

This just in... The European Central Bank announced an additional cut to its deposit rate of 10 basis points. The ECB dropped the rate on deposits at the central bank overnight to -0.3% from -0.2%. The ECB left its key lending rate unchanged at 0.05%.

While this sounds like a positive development, the cut was widely expected. Some will even call it a disappointment as many analysts had been looking for a more aggressive cut of 20 bps.

However, the real show will begin when Super Mario steps to the microphone later this morning. Reports indicate that ECB President Mario Draghi will announce further monetary stimulus measures when he holds his news conference at 8:30 a.m. Eastern.

It is expected that Draghi will announce an expansion of the current QE program.

In addition, there is more talk of "policy support" out of China this morning. Although premiere Li said that the 2015 growth rate is within acceptable bounds, there has been a fair amount of talk about additional efforts by the Chinese to stimulate growth.

The bottom line here is that if the threat of a "hard landing" in China is removed from the mix, traders have one less "macro" reason to be nervous.

Here at home, the focus remains of the December 16 FOMC meeting. While recent data points may have complicated the matter a bit, it still appears that the Fed is on track to announce a "liftoff" from the zero-bound policy the Fed has kept in place for six years now.

The key going forward will be the trajectory or "glide path" of the liftoff - meaning how quickly the Fed expects to lift rates going forward. The analysts I follow expect the glide path to be long, steady, and relatively shallow.

However, investors will need to be on the lookout for any whiff of inflation - especially on the wages front. The key here is if inflation starts to perk up, the Fed may be forced to deviate from the expected "slow and steady" plan for rate hikes. And if this were to occur, rest assured that the reaction in the markets would not be pretty.

Looking ahead to today, the focus is likely to be on what Draghi has to say in the next hour. Stock futures are pointing to a higher open, but are now well off their highs in response to the smaller-than expected rate reduction by the ECB.

Technical Talk

The three keys to the chart below are (1) yesterday's emotional algo-induced reaction to the shootings in CA, (2) the uptrend line that began in late September, and (3) the potential "cup with a handle" formation currently being traced out.

S&P 500 - Daily

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We should also note that stocks remain overbought on both a short- and intermediate-term basis and that our sentiment indicators suggest that negative sentiment is no longer the tailwind it was for stocks in October.

Finally, we note that we are in a strong seasonal period right now. And while it is tax-loss selling season, we believe the bulls should be given the benefit of the doubt through year-end.

Today's Pre-Game Indicators

Here are the Pre-Market indicators we review each morning before the opening bell...

Major Foreign Markets:
Japan: +0.01%
Hong Kong: -0.28%
Shanghai: +1.36%
London: -0.12%
Germany: -0.32%
France: -0.02%
Italy: +0.48%
Spain: -0.30%

Crude Oil Futures: +$0.84 to $40.78

Gold: +$3.00 at $1056.80

Dollar: lower against the yen, euro and pound

10-Year Bond Yield: Currently trading at 2.209%

Stock Indices in U.S. (relative to fair value):
S&P 500: +8.25
Dow Jones Industrial Average: +71
NASDAQ Composite: +20.20

Thought For The Day:

"The way to get ahead is to over-deliver. Expand the organization's expectations of you and exceed them." --Jack Welch

Here's wishing you green screens and all the best for a great day,

David D. Moenning
Founder and Chief Investment Strategist
Heritage Capital Research

Current Market Drivers

We strive to identify the driving forces behind the market action on a daily basis. The thinking is that if we can both identify and understand why stocks are doing what they are doing on a short-term basis; we are not likely to be surprised/blind-sided by a big move. Listed below are what we believe to be the driving forces of the current market (Listed in order of importance).

1. The State of Global Central Bank Policy
2. The State of Global Growth
3. The State of the U.S. Economy

The State of the Trend

We believe it is important to analyze the market using multiple time-frames. We define short-term as 3 days to 3 weeks, intermediate-term as 3 weeks to 6 months, and long-term as 6 months or more. Below are our current ratings of the three primary trends:

Short-Term Trend: Neutral
(Chart below is S&P 500 daily over past 1 month)

Intermediate-Term Trend: Neutral
(Chart below is S&P 500 daily over past 6 months)

Long-Term Trend: Moderately Positive
(Chart below is S&P 500 daily over past 2 years)

Key Technical Areas:

Traders as well as computerized algorithms are generally keenly aware of the important technical levels on the charts from a short-term basis. Below are the levels we deem important to watch today:

• Key Near-Term Support Zone(s) for S&P 500: 2020
• Key Near-Term Resistance Zone(s): 2135

The State of the Tape

Momentum indicators are designed to tell us about the technical health of a trend - I.E. if there is any "oomph" behind the move. Below are a handful of our favorite indicators relating to the market's "mo"...

• Trend and Breadth Confirmation Indicator (Short-Term): Positive
• Price Thrust Indicator: Positive
• Volume Thrust Indicator(NASDAQ): Positive
• Breadth Thrust Indicator (NASDAQ): Positive
• Short-Term Volume Relationship: Neutral
• Technical Health of 100+ Industry Groups: Low Neutral

The Early Warning Indicators

Markets travel in cycles. Thus we must constantly be on the lookout for changes in the direction of the trend. Looking at market sentiment and the overbought/sold conditions can provide "early warning signs" that a trend change may be near.

• S&P 500 Overbought/Oversold Conditions:
  - Short-Term: Moderately Overbought
  - Intermediate-Term: Overbought
  
• Market Sentiment: Our primary sentiment model is Negative

The State of the Market Environment

One of the keys to long-term success in the stock market is stay in tune with the market's "big picture" environment in terms of risk versus reward.

• Weekly Market Environment Model Reading: Neutral

Indicator Explanations

Trend and Breadth Confirmation Indicator (Short-Term) Explained: History shows the most reliable market moves tend to occur when the breadth indices are in gear with the major market averages. When the breadth measures diverge, investors should take note that a trend reversal may be at hand. This indicator incorporates an All-Cap Dollar Weighted Equity Series and A/D Line. From 1998, when the A/D line is above its 5-day smoothing and the All-Cap Equal Weighted Equity Series is above its 25-day smoothing, the equity index has gained at a rate of +32.5% per year. When one of the indicators is above its smoothing, the equity index has gained at a rate of +13.3% per year. And when both are below, the equity index has lost +23.6% per year.

Price Thrust Indicator Explained: This indicator measures the 3-day rate of change of the Value Line Composite relative to the standard deviation of the 30-day average. When the Value Line's 3-day rate of change have moved above 0.5 standard deviation of the 30-day average ROC, a "thrust" occurs and since 2000, the Value Line Composite has gained ground at a rate of +20.6% per year. When the indicator is below 0.5 standard deviation of the 30-day, the Value Line has lost ground at a rate of -10.0% per year. And when neutral, the Value Line has gained at a rate of +5.9% per year.

Volume Thrust Indicator Explained: This indicator uses NASDAQ volume data to indicate bullish and bearish conditions for the NASDAQ Composite Index. The indicator plots the ratio of the 10-day total of NASDAQ daily advancing volume (i.e., the total volume traded in stocks which rose in price each day) to the 10-day total of daily declining volume (volume traded in stocks which fell each day). This ratio indicates when advancing stocks are attracting the majority of the volume (readings above 1.0) and when declining stocks are seeing the heaviest trading (readings below 1.0). This indicator thus supports the case that a rising market supported by heavier volume in the advancing issues tends to be the most bullish condition, while a declining market with downside volume dominating confirms bearish conditions. When in a positive mode, the NASDAQ Composite has gained at a rate of +38.3% per year, When neutral, the NASDAQ has gained at a rate of +13.3% per year. And when negative, the NASDAQ has lost at a rate of -8.5% per year.

Breadth Thrust Indicator Explained: This indicator uses the number of NASDAQ-listed stocks advancing and declining to indicate bullish or bearish breadth conditions for the NASDAQ Composite. The indicator plots the ratio of the 10-day total of the number of stocks rising on the NASDAQ each day to the 10-day total of the number of stocks declining each day. Using 10-day totals smooths the random daily fluctuations and gives indications on an intermediate-term basis. As expected, the NASDAQ Composite performs much better when the 10-day A/D ratio is high (strong breadth) and worse when the indicator is in its lower mode (weak breadth). The most bullish conditions for the NASDAQ when the 10-day A/D indicator is not only high, but has recently posted an extreme high reading and thus indicated a thrust of upside momentum. Bearish conditions are confirmed when the indicator is low and has recently signaled a downside breadth thrust. In positive mode, the NASDAQ has gained at a rate of +22.1% per year since 1981. In a neutral mode, the NASDAQ has gained at a rate of +14.5% per year. And when in a negative mode, the NASDAQ has lost at a rate of -6.4% per year.

Bull/Bear Volume Relationship Explained: This indicator plots both "supply" and "demand" volume lines. When the Demand Volume line is above the Supply Volume line, the indicator is bullish. From 1981, the stock market has gained at an average annual rate of +11.7% per year when in a bullish mode. When the Demand Volume line is below the Supply Volume line, the indicator is bearish. When the indicator has been bearish, the market has lost ground at a rate of -6.1% per year.

Technical Health of 100 Industry Groups Explained: Designed to provide a reading on the technical health of the overall market, this indicator takes the technical temperature of more than 100 industry sectors each week. Looking back to early 1980, when the model is rated as "positive," the S&P has averaged returns in excess of 23% per year. When the model carries a "neutral" reading, the S&P has returned over 11% per year. But when the model is rated "negative," stocks fall by more than -13% a year on average.

Weekly State of the Market Model Reading Explained:Different market environments require different investing strategies. To help us identify the current environment, we look to our longer-term State of the Market Model. This model is designed to tell us when risk factors are high, low, or uncertain. In short, this longer-term oriented, weekly model tells us whether the odds favor the bulls, bears, or neither team.

Disclosures

The opinions and forecasts expressed herein are those of Mr. David Moenning and may not actually come to pass. Mr. Moenning's opinions and viewpoints regarding the future of the markets should not be construed as recommendations. The analysis and information in this report is for informational purposes only. No part of the material presented in this report is intended as an investment recommendation or investment advice. Neither the information nor any opinion expressed nor any Portfolio constitutes a solicitation to purchase or sell securities or any investment program.

Any investment decisions must in all cases be made by the reader or by his or her investment adviser. Do NOT ever purchase any security without doing sufficient research. There is no guarantee that the investment objectives outlined will actually come to pass. All opinions expressed herein are subject to change without notice. Neither the editor, employees, nor any of their affiliates shall have any liability for any loss sustained by anyone who has relied on the information provided.

The analysis provided is based on both technical and fundamental research and is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied. Although the information contained is derived from sources which are believed to be reliable, they cannot be guaranteed.

David D. Moenning is the owner of Heritage Capital Management (HCM) a registered investment adviser. Advisory services are offered through Heritage Capital Management, Inc. For a complete description of investment risks, fees and services review the HCM firm brochure (ADV Part 2) which is available from your Investment Representative or by contacting HeritageHCM also serves as a sub-advisor to other investment advisory firms. Neither HCM or Heritage is registered as a broker-dealer.

Employees and affiliates of Heritage and HCM may at times have positions in the securities referred to and may make purchases or sales of these securities while publications are in circulation. Editors will indicate whether they or Heritage/HCM has a position in stocks or other securities mentioned in any publication. The disclosures will be accurate as of the time of publication and may change thereafter without notice.

Investments in equities carry an inherent element of risk including the potential for significant loss of principal. Past performance is not an indication of future results.